Whether it's in their treatment of asylum seekers, their policy of secrecy or their intention to amend the Racial Discrimination Act, it seems that the Abbott government is intent on destroying Australia's moral compass.

Attorney-General, George Brandis, defending the Government's intention to repeal s18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, told the Senate Monday that “people have the right to be bigots”. It appears that in George Brandis's world view, bigots are the persecuted minority whose rights need to be staunchly defended.

Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to do an act that "is reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people" on racial or ethnic grounds." It is followed by s18D (which is conveniently ignored by many conservative commentators) which seeks to balance the objectives of s18C with the need to protect justifiable freedoms of speech and expression.

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The provisions seek to offer legislative protection to the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our society - our indigenous population, culturally and ethnically diverse communities and religious minority groups.

Whilst in the past politicians, particularly in the lead up to an election, have sought to indirectly play on the public's fears, Senator Brandis's comments have taken it to a whole new level. This is the first time that I can recall, where a Senior Minister has directly endorsed (and thereby encouraged) having bigoted views. There's no reading between the lines here - Brandis has specifically said that “people have the right to be bigots, you know.” This is somewhat unprecedented.

What's concerning is that these remarks are not coming from some rogue back bencher (such as Senator Cory Bernardi), but rather from our nation's top law maker.

As Western nations, we pride ourselves on emerging out of the darkness of our tainted histories, it seems however with its recent track record, the Abbott Government is hell bent on pulling us back into the dark era.

Whilst Abbott and Brandis keep reiterating that people have a right to make comments that upset or offend people, it is important to consider the position of the individual who makes the comments in question. Central to the debate is the fact that there is almost always a power imbalance between the person(s) who make the offending remarks and those whom the remarks are aimed at. This is clear when you take a look at the groups of people who have sought protection under s18C. They mostly come from marginalised, minority communities and they do not, under any stretch of the imagination, stand on an equal footing with their perpetrators.

The simple, perhaps controversial truth is this - white middle aged men in powerful positions are not the ones who are at the top of the list of people who regularly face discrimination. So why is it then that the proposed amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act seek to protect this category of people?

History has shown us that where racial vilification is publicly sanctioned by those in high office, mere words can have a powerful ability to incite hatred and violence.

As with any democratic right, freedom of speech should be tempered with responsibility and it is counter productive if those who continously spew hateful and misleading vitriol are the very individuals who continue to thrive from the protection that freedom of speech offers.

We should be very afraid when our top law maker seems more passionate about protecting the rights of bigots than the rights of the most marginalised members of our society.

Mariam Veiszadeh is a lawyer, community advocate and Welcome to Australia ambassador.

544 comments

The author of the piece is a "Community Advocate". Enough said.

Commenter

Rastus

Location

Canberra

Date and time

March 25, 2014, 9:04AM

Oh no! Someone is an advocate for minority communities! Let's discount and demean all they have to say.

Well from the latest statistics, middle-aged, Christian conservative males will soon be a minority too. Let's hope for their sake that no one decides to discriminate against them......

Commenter

RedFred

Date and time

March 25, 2014, 9:28AM

As opposed to a corporate advocate - you know the types stealing all our stuff out from under our noses.

Commenter

kepler 22b

Date and time

March 25, 2014, 9:36AM

No Rastus, not enough said.

Please, enlighten us mere mortals as to why the author being a 'Community Advocate' renders her opinion null and void.

Commenter

I'm not giving my name to a damn machine.

Date and time

March 25, 2014, 9:44AM

Exactly. They feed and profit from racial conflict, which is why they always try to generate more of it.

I suppose that they have nothing else to do, or are not capable of doing anything else.

Commenter

Greg

Date and time

March 25, 2014, 9:51AM

Community Advocate must be a synonym for Thought Police.

Anyone who will sacrifice a little liberty for a little bit of extra security will deserve neither and lose both.

Commenter

Bender

Date and time

March 25, 2014, 10:17AM

“Whilst Abbott and Brandis keep reiterating that people have a right to make comments that upset or offend people” - and who will be the judge what is OK to say and what is not??Presumably such privilege is reserved for the Left activists, Community Advocates and human rights lawyers only - rest of us should just shut up and follow their arbitrary ruling. Frankly I am upset by the above article - can I sue the writer??

Commenter

Ted

Date and time

March 25, 2014, 10:20AM

No, that's not enough said. What point are you trying to make exactly? It's ok, you can use big words. I'm sure we're all capable or understanding.

Commenter

nemo

Location

sydney

Date and time

March 25, 2014, 10:31AM

Well said Rastus.If someone is using words like that "white middle aged men in powerful positions" it shows position and limited understanding that bigotry works both way.Minority can call majority what ever they want but they cry when reverse is happened.We should work to understand each other.She is from professional group which always blame majority for misunderstanding.

Commenter

ozpol

Location

Sdney

Date and time

March 25, 2014, 10:36AM

I have been president of an ethnic community association and I have lived in many countries in ANZ, North America, Europe and Asia. Australia is among the best nations in racial relations. PM Abbott and Govt is right to protect our freedom of speech.